Trajal Harrell

Trajal Harrell’s New York-based company performs his work “The Ghost of Montpellie Meets the Samurai” March 18-19 at UC Berkeley. (Orpheas Emziras/Courtesy of Trajal Harrell)

Acclaimed New York choreographer Trajal Harrell’s favorite question seems to be “What if …?” His pieces tend to look at art and history through a hypothetical lens. His latest work, for example, imagines a Japanese butoh dancer, a French Nouvelle Danse choreographer and a powerful theater producer joining forces. Harrell and company bring the work, “The Ghost of Montpellier Meets the Samurai” to UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Playhouse for performances 8 p.m. March 18- and 2 p.m. March 19. Tickets are $43-$48; 510-642-9988, https://calperformances.org.
— Randy McMullen, Staff